Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of high molecular weight, thermoplastic copolyesters by reacting a diester composition comprising a dialkyl ester of terephthalic acid with a diol composition comprising a first diol component comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and a second diol component comprising 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. The diester composition can be reacted with the first diol component to produce a polyester oligomer that can be reacted further with the second diol component to produce a modified polyester oligomer. The modified polyester oligomer can then be heated to form a copolyester. The process reduces the precipitation of poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene) terephthalate in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3 -cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one of alkyl phosphate esters, aryl phosphate esters, mixed alkyl aryl phosphate esters, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.

Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one phosphorus compound, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.

Abstract: Described are polyester compositions comprising at least one polyester which comprises terephthalic acid residues, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and cyclohexanedimethanol, wherein the inherent viscosity and the Tg of the polyester provides for certain polyester properties. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles such as fibers, films, bottles or sheets.

Abstract: Described are polyesters containing (a) a dicarboxylic acid component having from 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues, and up to 30 mole% of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues; and (b) a glycol component having from 40 to 65 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and from 35 to 60 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles such as fibers, films, containers, bottles or sheets.

Abstract: Described are polyester compositions comprising (a) a dicarboxylicacidcomponent comprising terephthalic acid residues; optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues; minimal amounts of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; ethylene glycol, and optionally, cyclohexanedimethanol residues.